Orthodontics 101: 10 Common Myths About Braces

Posted on Apr 9, 2015

Even if you know a lot about braces, there are a few common myths you may not be familiar with, so HGS Ortho in Richmond and Port Coquitlam is here to set the record straight.

10 common myths about braces:

1. Ouch! Braces are a pain – Compared to the past when braces were heavy and very painful, now we have innovative technology with flexible, much more comfortable wires. If you want straight teeth, you don’t have to go through excruciating pain to get there. On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re a patient who isn’t feeling any pain at all, don’t worry – your braces are still doing their job and working just fine.

2. If it’s just tight enough, then it’s right – Orthodontists are accustomed to hearing from their patients that they want their braces tighter. Tighter braces may seem like they will be shifting your teeth into place faster, but if the force is too strong, you could damage tissue and bone in your mouth. Our Richmond orthodontists are experts and know that orthodontic care is a balance.

3. Change my wires every visit, doc! – The wire that the orthodontist uses actually doesn’t have to be changed all that often. In the past, a wire that put too much force on a tooth could knock off brackets and not be efficient, but now we have better technology and wires do not have to be changed every time.

4. Braces are the only thing that will straighten my teeth – Because we live in an age with progressing technology, you don’t have to necessarily wear braces to have straight teeth. Have you heard of Invisalign®? Invisalign uses clear aligners so your teeth can be straight without traditional braces. However, you should know that Invisalign does not work for every case, especially severe orthodontic cases. If you want to know if Invisalign is right for you, book a consultation with Dr. Smith.

5. Goodbye spaces! – Some people think that as soon as they get braces, that the gaps or spaces between the teeth will start closing. We don’t want you to have unrealistic expectations – teeth need to be completely aligned, and that’s when spaces can start to close. Don’t worry, those spaces will be gone at the end of your treatment.

6. Hello straight teeth! – When you get your braces off, most patients think that their teeth will stay straight forever. It takes work to maintain your straight teeth. Be sure to wear your retainers when treatment is done so your teeth will stay straight.

7. It’s all my wisdom teeth’s fault – Another common myth is that wisdom teeth are the cause of crooked teeth. You should know that there is a small amount of evidence to prove that wisdom teeth are the cause of crowding. Teeth are prone to drifting forward whether you have erupted wisdom teeth or not.

8. All overbites are bad – Overbites are a very ordinary thing. Some patients think that a minor overbite is a negative thing, but if you don’t have an overbite of some kind, your teeth will begin to wear down. Small overbites protect your teeth, whereas larger overbites can pose problems.

9. My braces will be removed on the exact date my orthodontist said – Our Port Coquitlam orthodontists will make an estimation at the beginning of treatment when your braces will be removed, but this date is not set in stone. If your braces break, you don’t brush or floss on a regular basis, wear your elastics, or show up for your designated appointments, your time could be extended.

10. I can switch my orthodontist at any time – Every orthodontist uses different tools and appliances, and they may have their own technique, so we recommend you stick with the orthodontist you already have. Sorting out finances is also difficult because each office has a different structure. It will be very expensive for you to switch orthodontists.

We hope that clears up some of the myths you may have about braces and orthodontics! To schedule an appointment, simply contact HGS Ortho today.

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Happy Easter from HGS Ortho

Posted on Apr 2, 2015

We hope you have an enjoyable Easter weekend, surrounded by your family and friends!

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The Many Benefits of Oral Health

Posted on Mar 26, 2015

When you brush your teeth, floss and use mouth wash regularly, you are doing so much more than just taking care of your mouth and teeth. There are many benefits of oral health that you may not know about. Through regular maintenance at home, visits to your dentist, and visits to our Richmond and Port Coquitlam orthodontist, HGS Ortho, for your orthodontic checkups, professional dental health services will ensure you reap more than just white teeth and healthy gums.

One of the most common ways bacteria grows and enters the body is through the mouth. If you keep your mouth clean after every meal, before going to bed, and after waking up, you minimize the chances of bacteria entering the body and infecting different parts. Many experts say that poor oral hygiene can aggravate heart and digestion problems and many others. The benefits of oral health ensure your teeth is strong, your gums are healthy, which will reflect in your body’s health in the long run.

You can also count budget and cost savings to the list of the different benefits of oral health. If you have a good and regular teeth cleaning schedule and regimen, then you’ll be sure to have much less trips to the dentist’s office for rotten tooth pains, and other oral diseases. Dentist treatments tend to add up if you do not do your best to take care of your teeth. They can also be a very painful and long process so it’s best to avoid them. However, you still need to go to the dentist’s office at the very least twice a year just to ensure the overall health of your mouth and that you are not missing any areas when you are brushing or flossing your teeth. At our Richmond orthodontist, we help all of their patients with any existing dental or oral conditions and at the same time, help them establish a good mouth and teeth cleaning habit which they can stick to each and every day to avoid any further problems.

If you want to see the many benefits of oral health for yourself, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly, even with braces! Finally visit your dentist when you can, even if it is just for a consultation. The orthodontists at HGS Ortho are available not only to help you ensure you have good oral health but to provide advice and tips that can be useful in keeping your gums pink, and your teeth strong and white. Contact us today!

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Missing Teeth in Children: A Potential Orthodontic Problem

Posted on Mar 19, 2015

Despite what you may have thought, you can’t always tell if you are missing teeth in your smile. In fact, missing teeth in children can often lead to eventual orthodontic problems.

But how can you tell if the problem is missing teeth, or if there is just a large gap in your child’s smile?

To determine whether or not teeth are actually missing, x-rays must be taken at your local orthodontic clinic.

A tooth might not be missing all the time – it might be hidden under the gums; therefore, The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) suggests children should have a consultation with an orthodontist starting at the age of 7.

Book a consultation with our Port Coquitlam orthodontists at HGS Ortho to determine if the space caused by the missing teeth should be closed or open or if the tooth will need replacing in order to fill the space. If you don’t seek treatment from an orthodontist, missing teeth in children could lead to bad tooth alignment, issues with bite and even bone loss.

Diagnosing missing teeth in children at an early age is simple: your orthodontist will insert a space maintainer and this will keep everything in place, making any treatment simple when the permanent teeth erupt. Some cases result in an appliance being placed in the mouth with all the other teeth that are forming normally. In this case, orthodontic treatment won’t be necessary; the problem may be fixable by wearing a simple appliance.

For more information about missing teeth in children, please contact us today at our Richmond orthodontic practice for a consultation.

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How Impacted Teeth Impact Your Oral Health

Posted on Mar 12, 2015

Impacted teeth are teeth that don’t come out completely through the gums or have only partially come out. Often, the third molars, commonly referred to as ‘wisdom teeth’, are found to be impacted and may require treatment. Extraction is the most common course of action for impacted teeth, but over-the-counter pain medications and salt water rinses may be sufficient in some cases. Some patients may not require any treatment at all for impacted teeth.

Your orthodontic specialist at our Port Coquitlam and Richmond orthodontist office can examine impacted teeth (through digital x-rays) to determine the type of necessary treatment. Impacted teeth that aren’t promptly treated can cause abscesses, chronic pain, infection, plaque/tartar and malocclusion/misalignment.

Teeth can also become impacted due to trauma, lack of space in the jaw and crowded teeth. Contact your Richmond and Port Coquitlam orthodontic specialist as soon as possible if you suspect your teeth are impacted or experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Tenderness/pain in the jaw bone or gums
  • Occasional difficulty opening the mouth
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Persistent head or jaw ache
  • Occasional swelling of the neck lymph nodes
  • Unpleasant taste when biting near impacted teeth

For more information on impacted teeth, or to book a consultation, please contact HGS Ortho in Richmond and Port Coquitlam today.

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Invisalign: Not Just For The Younger Set

Posted on Mar 5, 2015

Invisalign is the clear alternative to traditional metal braces, and while parents of teenagers are very familiar with the benefits of BPA-free plastic aligners, most aren’t aware that Invisalign isn’t just for adolescents. Anyone’s teeth can be straightened with a custom-created Invisalign program by our team of experts at Port Coquitlam and Richmond orthodontist practice HGS Ortho.

Invisalign aligners are completely clear and embarrassment- and hassle-free. To be effective, your orthodontist at HGS Ortho recommends that you wear the aligners 20-22 hours daily and only remove them for meals and oral health practices (brushing, flossing, etc.).

After the initial consultation, the orthodontic specialists at Richmond and Port Coquitlam orthodontic clinic, HGS Ortho, will create a set of custom aligners for you which will gradually shift your teeth. You will receive a new pair of aligners every couple of weeks to continue treatment and you must schedule a check-up with the our team every six weeks to ensure your teeth are straightening properly.

Treatment typically lasts about a year for adults, so call us today to book an appointment at HGS Ortho and get the straightest smile of your life!

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Adult Orthodontics Give You a Beautiful Smile at any Age!

Posted on Feb 26, 2015

Braces and invisible aligners don’t have to be just for kids and teens. In fact, the orthodontics team at HGS Ortho in Port Coquitlam and Richmond have helped numerous adult orthodontic patients achieve a wonderful healthy and straight smile with the use of orthodontics.

Wondering if you’re too old for orthodontic treatment?

You’re not too old for orthodontic treatment! As long as your bones and gum tissue surrounding your teeth are healthy, you’re a candidate for adult orthodontics. In fact, 1 in 5 orthodontic patients at HGS Ortho in Port Coquitlam and Richmond is over the age of 21. That’s 20% of all orthodontic patients.

Worried about your social life and appearance while you undergo orthodontic treatment? 

Don’t be worried about the effect orthodontic treatment will have on your social life and appearance! HGS Ortho in Port Coquitlam and Richmond offers you a range of treatments that are discreet or invisible for a comfortable, efficient and socially-friendly way to straighten your smile. We offer you Invisalign Invisible Aligners and clear braces for a stunning smile, during and after your orthodontic treatment!

Invest in your Smile and your Oral Health. 

Crooked teeth are harder to clean and keep healthy, which means they’re prone to cavities, plaque buildup, gum disease and tooth loss. A healthy, straight smile is an investment in yourself. Take the first step towards a straight smile and contact HGS Ortho in Port Coquitlam and Richmond today to begin your orthodontic treatment.

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